A man allegedly involved in a South Los Angeles gun battle that left a police officer with a possible career-ending wound was charged Wednesday with multiple counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, prosecutors said.
Avel Jowan Turks, 18, was set to be arraigned in a downtown courtroom, where prosecutors planned to ask that his bail be set at $4.1 million, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Turks is charged with 15 felony counts, including six counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, six counts of using an assault weapon on a peace officer and one count each of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, evading police and possession for sale of cocaine base, prosecutors said. The complaint includes gun and gang allegations.
On Monday, Turks was one of two men riding in an SUV that led officers on a pursuit on the 110 Freeway and ended with an exchange of gunfire on surface streets, police said.
The man riding with Turks, 37-year old Andre Maurice Jones, was killed during the gunfight, police said.
Turks was found hiding in a dumpster, police said. Officers used a flash-bang grenade to draw him out and arrest him.
Police said a 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and SWAT team member was shot in the leg. The officer will be able to walk again, but he may not be able to run, according to his surgeon.
